Chapter Three

I wake up grumpily, the light shining through the curtains as if nothing is stopping it. I turn over, trying to get back to sleep, but a voice stops me from doing so, "Rise and shine Bella."

Groaning, I throw a pillow in the direction of his voice without lifting my head, "Get out of here Jasper."

He chuckles, "Alice sent me up here to fetch you, breakfast is ready."

"But it's Sunday, I'm allowed to sleep." I grumble, hugging my pillow.

"Come on Bella, you know Alice, she will have my head if I don't have you down stairs." Jasper jokes, though going down the path of guilt to get me to get up. I know he's right, Alice has been getting more and more violent since her pregnancy, and now that the date's getting close, she's getting worse.

Since I prefer a happy Alice than a vengeful one, I get up, cursing under my breath as I wait for my eyes to adjust to the light. I throw my blankets off me completely and reluctantly throwing my legs off side of the bed. I look at a side clock on the bed-side table; it reads six-thirty-three. No wonder I'm still tired! Edward and I hadn't went to bed till one last night!

My foggy mind suddenly becomes clear at the reminder of Edward. I look down at my left hand, the band shins as the light hits it from a certain direction.

Holy crap, I'm getting married!

My breath accelerates, I would have bet that the memories of last night were just dreams, a figment of my imagination. But the ring is evidence that it's not, the promise is wrapped around my finger, and the man is in the room next to my own. I snap out of my thoughts when Jasper speaks, "What's that?"

Without thought, I shove my hand out of sight, "Nothing."

The best thing about Jasper is that even though he knows something is up, he doesn't push to ask, he just nods and walks to the door, "I'll go wake up Edward."

"Don't!" I yell. Jasper turns to me, frowning, confuse, "He hasn't been getting much sleep when he's in Chicago because of work, please just let him sleep in today."

"Okay, but you're explaining to Alice." He smiles.

"Sure." It's a small price to pay.

I follow Jasper out of the room and walk down the stairs to the dining room. Alice has set out four plates, all occupied by bacon, scrambled eggs, and a slice of toast. A plate of pancakes in the center of the table for self serve. It smells divine. I grin and sit down, I pick up my knife and fork when Alice asks, "Where's Edward?"

Even though I expect her to ask, I drop my knife in surprise of his name. The couple look at me oddly, I bit my lip, "Um, Alice, Edward really hasn't been getting much sleep lately because of the company and all. He's pretty much on holiday at the moment, can he just sleep in for a bit today?"

She huffs, but understands, "Fine, but we'll go out for lunch."

I shake my head, "He has to have lunch with the governor today to plan out the build of the university."

"Fine! Dinner than."

"Sure Alice." A velvet smooth voice startles me, making me drop my fork as well, god I'm so jumpy today. He chuckles, walking past me, lightly grazing his hand against my shoulder before taking a seat to eat beside me, "Morning."

"Morning," I blush, filling my glass with orange juice.

"Bella?"

"Yes Alice."

"Where did you get that ring from?" As soon as her words leave her lips, I drop the carton of juice on the table, it starts to spill out before I pick it up. Damnit! What is wrong with me!

"Oh god, sorry!" I apologize, getting up to examine the entire damage. The juice floods my yummy smelling breakfast, it was the most damaged, little got spelt on the table, but that can be easily cleaned.

"Are you okay Bella?" Edward asks, concern.

I nod, biting my lip as I grabbing my plate from the table and taking it to the kitchen. I start to drain the juice down the sink when Alice walks in, a grin on her face, "So Bella, why do you have a ring on a certain finger of yours?"

What do I tell her? It's just an engagement ring Alice, nothing special. Somehow I don't think Alice will buy it.

"Um, ask Edward." Ha! He can explain it! I just hope he's not mad because of it.

"No, I want you to tell me." She gives me a suspicious look that tells me she's not going away, though something in her voice gave me the suspicion that she already knew.

I give her a look, "You already know, don't you Alice."

"I wouldn't know what you're talking about Bella." She grins.

My mouth falls open, "You do!"

"Oh my god you're engaged!" Alice squeals, throwing her arms around me in a tight embraces.

Oh god, did she know what was going on before I did? "How long have you known?"

She lets go, the wide grin on her face grew, "That's something for me to know and you to never find out."

"Alice." I groan.

"I have so much to plan Bella! First your wedding, than the honeymoon, oh! Then we have to go apartment hunting!" What?!

"Apartment hunting?! Where did that come from?" I squeak out.

She crooks her head to the left, "Bella, Edward lives in Chicago…"

I gasp, "What about my job?"

"You don't need one." Edward walks in, obviously over hearing our conversation.

I frown, "What do you mean I don't need one? Of course I do."

Edward suppresses a grin, "Bella, I'm not exactly poor."

"What? So you go work while I sit on a couch doing nothing for the rest of my life?" I ask, offended.

"I don't mean it like that."

"But I have a job here."

"I have a company there. Plus, you hate your job."

"No I don't, I just don't like the boss." A lot of people don't like their jobs, but they still have to do it. Suddenly my little high from being engaged with Edward is starting to waver, I haven't even thought of any of this yet.

"My company needs a new creative director, William Stains –our current creative director- is about to retire, so it would take some slack off me if I already have a replacement."

My mind is working overtime thinking of all the changes that would be happening. I mean, can I really work in the same company as Edward without being distracted? What would our marriage be classified as anyway? Are we just doing it and remain friends? Are we going to go out? Oh my, will we have kids!?

I frown, "Edward, CEO's don't have to worry about who's on the pay roll, they just have to know what's being done."

He shrugs, "It will take unnecessary weight off the company."

I can't believe this is happening, "But what about everything here? Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, Charlie?"

"We'll come back down for holidays-"

Alice cut in, "And we will be up there all the time!"

"-Anyway you don't have to worry for a few months anyway if this project gets settled, I will be down here working on it. I'll need to go back to Chicago a few times, but nothing major." Edward reassures. His eyes plead for me to take the deal.

I remember when we had made the deal. It was so simple back than to just think of it as a way to stopping each other from being lonely. We didn't even begin to sketch out the bigger picture. Where we would live, what would the relationship do to our current one, would we be romantic, kids, bills, area codes, everything that was once so distant is now slamming in my face.

"I need time to think about this…" I wonder if I can still get that wine cooler.

Edward nods, "That's all I can ask."

"Oh, Bella, did you want me to cook you some more bacon and eggs?" Alice asks.

I shake my head, "No, nonsense, um, I'll just grab a few pancakes when I'm finished cleaning up. You guys go back and eat your breakfast before it gets cold."

They nod and leave, Edward staying behind, leaning against the counter while I throw out the saturated egg and bacon, "I want to take you out tonight."

I put the plate in the sink, before looking at him confusingly, "What do you mean? I thought we were going out with Alice and Jasper tonight."

He shakes his head, "I'll have a talk with them, they can come with us another time, I just want it to be you and me."

"You and me as in a…date?" I must look like an idiot, my face is red from my fiancée asking me out!

"Yes." He says simply.

My cheeks grew redder, "Um s-sure."

Smiling, he nods and waits for me to grab a cloth before heading back into the dining room. Edward sits back down at his seat and starts eating while I start mopping the juice up that I've spilt. I throw the cloth in the laundry room before grabbing a plate and joining the others at the table. I grab a few pancakes and smother them in golden syrup from the bear bottle.

We all make small talk around the table, though my head is too clouded to pay attention to the talk at hand. This time yesterday morning I was asleep, single, and alone. Here, today, I am in a welcoming environment, have a fiancée, and am fully awake. I never thought that so much can change in twenty-four hours, but apparently, they can.

Edward leaves at eleven to meet the governor at some restaurant at the pear, he kisses my cheek good-bye before heading out the door, leaving me with a very pregnant soon-to-be sister-in-law. Alice beams, "Come on Bella, we have to go to Esme's, she's going to be so happy!"

My face burns red, "Alice, it just happened yesterday!"

"I don't care, mom and dad will want to see their son anyway, they can come to dinner!"

Damn him, he didn't tell her, "Oh, about that Alice, Edward wants just him and me to have dinner together, like a date kind of thing."

Her mood shots down instantly, "What? I had so much planned though."

"We can go tomorrow," I try reasoning, "You can even invite Esme and Carlisle?"

She contemplates her choices, which is a surprise for me, I thought her reaction would be a lot different. More along the lines of 'hell no' kind of thing. She sighs, "Okay, tomorrow, and no buts. Deal?"

Whoa, she's actually changing her plans for someone else. I nod, "Deal."

"So come on, we're still going to mom and dad's."

I frown, "But Forks is three hours away."

"So?"

"So? It's almost midday and Edward wants to go out for dinner, not desert, there's not enough time."

Alice huffs, "Fine, we'll call them up. Then we start with wedding idea's."

"Alice…" I warn.

"What?" She asks innocently.

"I'm not having a big wedding."

"Fine, but we still have to make arrangements-"

I groan, "I was thinking more of a court house type thing."

She stops dead in her tracks, Alice turns and glares, "Bella, that is not happening."

Mumbling an 'okay' under my breath, I don't want to argue about this, so I let it go. There's only going to be a few people Bella, only family and close friends, right?

I don't want to know the answer to that. I don't know where Jasper is, but Alice walks me to their room, we both pop down on her bed as Alice starts to dial Esme's number and put's the phone on loud speaker, placing it in between us.

"Hello?" Esme answers.

"Hey mom, it's Alice."

"Oh, hi dear, how's the baby?"

"Good, kicking a lot, but that's to be expected. Bella is here."

"Hello Bella."

"Hi Esme." I smile. I love my mother, don't get me wrong, but Esme is more of a mother than Renee will ever be.

"What are you two up to these days?"

Alice grins at me, winking, "Funny you ask that mom, guess whose visiting."

"Who?"

"A certain son of yours."

"Edward?! When did he fly in?"

"Yesterday, he came for Bella's thirtieth."

"Oh my! It was too your birthday yesterday Bella! Carlisle assured me it wasn't till next week!"

I laugh, "It's fine Esme, you know I don't like people fussing over it."

"But still, happy thirtieth!"

"Thanks." I blushed.

"Bella got a few presents regarding Edward last night."

My eyes widen, panicked. I don't want Esme to find out like this! I'm not ready for her to even know! Don't get me wrong, I love her to pieces, but she's worse than Alice. She's an actually planner. She's done weddings before and have taught Alice everything, I still remember Alice's wedding, every conversation for the last six months was about her wedding. Let's just say that I'm going to be that exited about anything, ever. I look at her and mouthed 'no' to her. Alice shook her head and grinned. God this fells like high school all over ago.

"Oh?"

"Bella, why don't you elaborate."

I mouth a 'I hate you' to her before raising the white flag, "Um, well…Can I show you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

Breathing a sigh, I'm safe…For today. Alice cuts in, obviously not happy that I killed her mojo, "Yeah mom, I was wondering if you and dad wanted go out for dinner tomorrow night since Edward is down. He wants to take Bella out himself tonight, so it'll have to be tomorrow."

"Sure honey, do you just want your father and I to meet you at your place?"

"Yeah, sure." Alice agrees.

"So, how is Edward? I haven't been in touch with him for a few months." She says sadly.

"He's good," I reply, "He's actually out now pitching a proposal. He's trying to convince the government to let him design the new university their building in Seattle, if he gets the deal he'll be down here for a few months while it's being built."

"That's wonderful." Her voice now chipper.

We stay speaking to her for what seems like an hour before Alice says she needs to cook lunch. I roll my eyes, I won't be surprised when Alice surpasses Betty Crocker. While Alice starts to make a salad, I open my laptop and start checking my e-mails.

"Where do you think the wedding should be held?" She asks casually.

I don't look up, I just continue reading through my e-mails, "Don't you think I should talk to Edward about this before making any decisions?"

"But I want at least an outline to work with." She moans.

"I don't know. Ask me tomorrow," Damn, I shouldn't have said that.

"Fine," She huffs, "But what about the dress?"

"Alice," I look up with a stern look, "I just got engaged last night and had no intention of marriage beforehand. I will have a talk with Edward tonight and then I will let you know a few details tomorrow."

"At least I know one thing for sure."

I roll my eyes, returning back to the screen, "And what is that?"

"I'm going to be your maid of honor." I laugh, shaking my head.

The rest of the afternoon is uneventful until Edward returns back to Alice's at three, grinning, "I got the deal!"

I grin, one arm hugging him when he stands beside me at the bar, "Congratulations, what did he say?"

"She," He corrects, "Miss Denali thought the idea had its charm, she agreed to the contract and we start making plans this coming week."

Something tells me that Miss Denali thought something else was a bit charming too. I don't know where my sudden hostility for this lady comes from, and I don't particularly want to know, knowing it's from a really bad place. Edward sits beside me on the stool, his elbow popping on the bar as he rests him head in his hand, he smiles, "I was thinking, did you want to leave now and have an early dinner? We could come back here and have a movie night like the good-old days."

My heart skips a beat. I want the good old days desperately, I need them. These past years that I haven't had this man in my life was torture, what I need now is to have a little normalcy.

"We could, but then again, we also could just buy chinese and go back to my place and have our movie night there. You can sleep over." I blush at the offer.

He nods, "That we could."

I smile, closing my laptop, "Let's go." I say, picking my computer up and head for the door.

"Bella, wait, I have to tell Alice." Edward stops.

My breath hitch, "Right, you do that, I'll get the car started."

Edward nods and turns, I do the same. It feels so surreal that Edward's back, that I'm in a relationship;if that's what this is. I walk to the parked SUV with my laptop – I already put my bag in there an hour ago so I wouldn't forget. I jump in, waiting until I see any sign of Edward before I start the engine. I look around at anything and everything to cease my boredom when a glint of light steals my attention.

It's Elizabeth Masen's ring. My ring. I still cannot believe I'm actually doing this, but I do admit, that if I ever were to marry whoever else, the ring wouldn't satisfy unless it is this. I admire the way the diamonds sparkle, at every different angle is a different color of the spectrum, making it look breathtaking.

My bubble bursts as soon as I hear the door open, Edward stands there, noticing my admiration, he smiles, "Let's head off." I nod, blushing that he burst in when I'm having a personal moment. Pulling out of the driveway, we drive down the abandoned street and onto the high way. Alice and Jasper house is just outside the city itself, only a five minute drive away so they could live in an actual house instead of an apartment. Unlike them, I live in the heart of the city in a mildly modern apartment. I have lived in my apartment for the past twelve years, Alice and Jasper lived with me when we were all in college and moved away after graduating and having full time jobs, leaving me alone – not that I mind.

I pull up in the parking lot underneath the building, locking the doors as soon as both Edward and I get out, grabbing my bag first. We walk side by side as I direct him to the stairs, "Why are we walking? There's an elevator right there."

"Because I don't trust that thing," I explain, "It's broken down on me before and I haven't been on it since. Besides, it's our daily exercise."

Edward rolls his eyes, "I remember a time when I couldn't see you walking to school let alone…How many stair cases?"

"Five."

"Five!? You're not the Isabella Swan I remember." He mocks.

I poke up tongue at him, before turning up to the next set of stairs. Before long, we make it to the fourth floor, my heart rate has slightly risen, my muscles wanting more oxygen to fuel themselves as we walk up to my apartment door. I unzip my brown shoulder bag to retrieve my keys from the depths of the bottom, unlocking the mahogany door, throwing my keys on the side table to the left of the door inside and turning the lights on.

"So what movies have you been watching lately?" I ask, wanting to know if his tastes have changed over the past decade.

"I haven't had time to watch anything," He admits, closing and locking the door behind him, he shrugs off his coat, "What's something good?"

"Well, something that's good and that you would like would probably be…" I think for a second, "Pirates of the Carrabin, maybe?"

He shrugs, "Why not."

I throw my bag to the corner of the living room, taking off my blue sweater as the room is significantly warmer than outdoors, leaving me wearing only my white tank top. I bend down in front of television cabinet and get out the DVD, turning on the TV and DVD player, playing the movie. With the remote in hand, I turn the light off and sit beside Edward on the three seater couch. Even though we reside on different arms of the couch, I cannot help but note the slight tingles of my arms, anticipating any slight movement that could indicate his closeness.

Playing the movie, I try my best to pay as much attention to the screen and not on the man beside me. I both hate and love the distance between us. If I were closer, I would be too intoxicated with his scent and wouldn't be held accounted for any my actions, but I hate it because I am away from him.

Deep in thought, I jump slightly when Edward bursts into laughter, I look at the screen and notice it's the part when Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swan are drunk on the abandoned island. I'm shocked, have I really been out of it for half the movie?! I shake my head, getting up.

"Where are you going?" Edward asks, staring at me curiously.

"Just getting some water, you want something?" I ask.

He thinks for a moment, "Do you have any coffee?"

"Yes."

"Can I get one please?" He asks politely.

I nod, "How do you want it?"

"I can make it."

Shaking my head, I say, "No, I'll get it, you haven't seen the movie."

"Okay, just black please."

"What? No sugar?" I can't stand coffee without anything.

Edward pulls a mocking hurt face, "Aren't I sweet enough?"

"Watch the movie." I laugh as I walking out of the living room and into the kitchen. I pull out a glass and a mug from the cupboard, I switch the coffee maker on, allowing it some time as it processes the shots for the coffee as I chug down my water. While waiting, I clean the glass, dry it, and place it back in the cupboard which it once came from. I notice the coffee is done, I grab the mug and walk back into the living room, handing it to Edward, "Watch out, it's hot."

He nods, thanking me. I start for my corner of the couch, but an arm curls around my waist, pulling me back, "Edward!"

Edward chuckles, "Sit."

I blush, his legs are parted, one to the inner cushion of the couch, the other over the side of the couch dangling lazily. I sit between his legs stiffly until Edward pushes my stomach, jerking me to lie down on his chest. His chin rests on my tense shoulders, he whispers, "Relax Bella."

As if his words are hypnotic, my whole body completely turns to jell-o on his, my head rolling on his chest as I turn to the television screen, not paying attention to a single detail. It's awkward at first, every time Edward moves his arm to take a sip of his coffee moves his entire being, forcing me to adapt to every movement he makes, but after the fifth time, I became acquaint.

Just as I start to pay attention to the movie I feel a hand creep up my stomach, sending butterflies and chills through-out my body. The foreign object stops directly over my bellybutton, the hand stays limp there. There is no way I can pay attention to a pirate wearing eye liner now.

What do I do?! Am I supposed to do something? Should I take his hand? Does this mean anything? If I don't do something I might send him the wrong signal, but which signal would be wrong?

Fuck.

I just lie limply on his chest, pretending to watch the movie and try not to visually show how much his actions have affected me. I suddenly notice the movie is finish when the room suddenly turns dark. I get up, Edward's hand instantly falls onto the couch like dead weight. I use the buttons on the DVD player to retrieve the disc, I speak, "So, did you want to order the Chinese now and watch another movie?" I wait for an answer, "Edward?"

Frowning when I don't get a response, I turn to him, he fell asleep! His entire form lies lazily over the couch, his legs remain in the position they were in when I sat between them, his head rests on the head rest, though looking like it's going to fall off the rest any minute. Edward's lips part slightly, even in his sleep he manages to look like a god. I sigh.

Should I wake him up? He may be grumpy, but I would at least save his neck. Just as I'm about to, I bring my hand back just as it's about to go into contact with his shoulder. No, I'll just let him wake up on his own, I decide. I stand up straight and turn the television off and walk to the kitchen and open the refrigerator, closing it when I decide I'm not hungry. I yawn, I may as well go to sleep, Edward's already asleep, so it would be better if he wakes up around the same time as me and not earlier.

Grabbing a blanket for Edward, I throw it over him as gently as possible, leaving a pillow by his side in case he wakes up before heading back to my room. I lay spread out on my bed on my back, I'm not even tired. I stare up at the ceiling fan swirling around, though I can only just make out the outline of the intimate object, I stay there trying to count out how many times it spins.

Until I fall asleep.